Composite sporting equipment

ABSTRACT

A sporting equipment is disclosed. The sporting equipment may include an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers. The sporting equipment may also include a sensor integrally fabricated into the platform and connected to the matrix-coated fibers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/458,328 that was filed on Feb. 13, 2017, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sporting equipment and, more particularly, to sporting equipment made from a composite material via additive manufacturing.

BACKGROUND

Unique equipment is available for most any sport. For example, a racket may be used to play tennis, a club may be used to play golf, body armor may be used for motocross, a gun may be used for skeet or biathlon events, etc. Often, a quality of the equipment used during a sporting event can affect an outcome of the event. For example, a weight of the equipment, a strength of the equipment, a shape of the equipment, a flexibility of the equipment, a hardness of the equipment, a durability of the equipment, a conformability of the equipment, etc., can directly affect an acceleration, a speed, a distance, a force, an accuracy, a repeatability, a longevity, and other performance parameters. Unfortunately, conventional manufacturing capabilities may limit the available quality of conventional sporting equipment.

Some sporting equipment is manufactured from composite materials, which can enhance the quality of the equipment. For example, the frame of a tennis racket, the handle of a golf club, and the stock of a gun have been made from fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon fibers using a vacuum-mold technique or a pultrusion process. Thereafter, the composite components are joined to other non-composite components (e.g., to strings, a head, a grip, a barrel, an action, etc.) using conventional techniques (e.g., gluing, welding, mechanical fastening, etc.). Sporting goods made from composite materials may have a reduced weight and/or increased strength or stiffness.

Although sporting equipment having composite components may have improved qualities, the associated benefits may be limited. In particular, the quality may be interrupted because of the conventional joining techniques used to connect the composite components to the associated non-composite components. In addition, conventional vacuum-mold techniques and pultrusion processes may limit the shape, size, and/or configuration possible within the composite components. In addition, it may be beneficial, in some applications, to receive feedback from the sporting equipment; and this may not be possible using conventionally manufactured equipment.

The disclosed sporting equipment is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sporting equipment. The sporting equipment may include an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers. The sporting equipment may also include a sensor integrally fabricated into the platform and connected to the matrix-coated fibers.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to another sporting equipment. This sporting equipment may include an elongated platform having an outward-turned leading tip and a trailing end, and a mounting track located at a surface of the platform between the outward-turned leading tip and the trailing end. The platform and mounting track may be integrally formed as a monolithic structure having at least one continuous fiber passing from the platform through the mounting track.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to another sporting equipment. This sporting equipment may include an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers. The sporting equipment may also include a mounting hardpoint formed within the elongated platform during curing of the matrix-coated fibers, and having a center that is free of fibers.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of fabricating a sporting equipment. This method may include wetting a continuous fiber with a matrix, and discharging a matrix-wetted continuous fiber through a nozzle. The method may also include moving the nozzle during discharging to extend a structural type of fiber through an elongated platform of the sporting equipment, moving the nozzle during discharging to extend a functional type of fiber that is different from the structural type of fiber through the elongated platform of the sporting equipment, and exposing the matrix wetting the structural and functional types of fibers to a cure energy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an exemplary system for manufacturing sporting equipment;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are isometric illustrations of an exemplary sporting equipment that can be manufactured utilizing the system of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, and 5A are close-up and cross-sectional illustrations of portions of the sporting equipment of FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 10 for additively manufacturing sporting equipment 12. System 10 may implement any number of different additive processes during manufacture of sporting equipment 12. For example, sporting equipment 12 is shown in FIG. 1 as being manufactured via a first additive process and via a second additive process. It should be noted that the first and second additive processes may be performed simultaneously or consecutively, as desired. It should also be noted that sporting equipment 12 may be manufactured utilizing only one of the first and second additive processes.

The first additive process (represented in the lower-left of FIG. 1) may be a pultrusion and/or extrusion process, which creates hollow tubular structures 14 from a composite material (e.g., a material having a matrix and at least one continuous fiber). One or more heads 16 may be coupled to a support 18 (e.g., to a robotic arm) that is capable of moving head(s) 16 in multiple directions during discharge of structures 14, such that resulting longitudinal axes 20 of structures 14 are three-dimensional. Such a head is disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/130,412 and 15/130,207, all of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Head(s) 16 may be configured to receive or otherwise contain the matrix material. The matrix material may include any type of liquid resin (e.g., a zero-volatile organic compound resin) that is curable. Exemplary matrixes include thermosets, single- or multi-part epoxy resins, polyester resins, cationic epoxies, acrylated epoxies, urethanes, esters, thermoplastics, photopolymers, polyepoxides, thiols, alkenes, thiol-enes, and more. In one embodiment, the pressure of the matrix material inside of head(s) 16 may be generated by an external device (e.g., an extruder or another type of pump) that is fluidly connected to head(s) 16 via corresponding conduits (not shown). In another embodiment, however, the pressure may be generated completely inside of head(s) 16 by a similar type of device and/or simply be the result of gravity acting on the matrix material. In some instances, the matrix material inside head(s) 16 may need to be kept cool and/or dark, in order to inhibit premature curing; while in other instances, the matrix material may need to be kept warm for the same reason. In either situation, head(s) 16 may be specially configured (e.g., insulated, chilled, and/or warmed) to provide for these needs.

The matrix material stored inside head(s) 16 may be used to coat any number of continuous fibers and, together with the fibers make up walls of composite structures 14. The fibers may include single strands, a tow or roving of several strands, or a weave of many strands. The strands may include, for example, carbon fibers, vegetable fibers, wood fibers, mineral fibers, glass fibers, metallic wires, ceramic fibers, basalt fibers, etc. The fibers may be coated with the matrix material while the fibers are inside head(s) 16, while the fibers are being passed to head(s) 16, and/or while the fibers are discharging from head(s) 16, as desired. In some embodiments, a filler material (e.g., chopped fibers) may be mixed with the matrix material before and/or after the matrix material coats the fibers. The matrix material, the dry fibers, fibers already coated with the matrix material, and/or the filler may be transported into head(s) 16 in any manner apparent to one skilled in the art. The matrix-coated fibers may then pass over a centralized diverter (not shown) located at a mouth of head(s) 16, where the resin is caused to cure (e.g., from the inside-out, from the outside-in, or both) by way of one or more cure enhancers (e.g., UV lights, ultrasonic emitters, microwave generators, infrared heaters, chillers, etc.) 22.

In embodiments where sporting equipment 12 is made up of multiple structures 14, each structure 14 may be discharged adjacent another structure 14 and/or overlap a previously discharged structure 14. In this arrangement, subsequent curing of the liquid resin within neighboring structures 14 may bond structures 14 together. Any number of structures 14 may be grouped together and have any trajectory, shape, and size required to generate the desired shape of sporting equipment 12.

In some embodiments, a fill material (e.g., an insulator, a conductor, an optic, a surface finish, etc.) could be deposited inside and/or outside of structures 14, while structures 14 are being formed. For example, a hollow shaft (not shown) could extend through a center of and/or over any of the associated head(s) 16. A supply of material (e.g., a liquid supply, a foam supply, a solid supply, a gas supply, etc.) could then be connected with an end of the hollow shaft, and the material forced through the hollow shaft and onto particular surfaces (i.e., interior and/or exterior surfaces) of structure 14. It is contemplated that the same cure enhancer(s) 22 used to cure structure 14 could also be used to cure the fill material, if desired, or that additional dedicated cure enhancer(s) (not shown) could be used for this purpose. The fill materials could allow one or more of structures 14 to function as tanks, passages, conduits, ducts, etc.

The second additive manufacturing process (represented in the upper-right of FIG. 1) may also be a pultrusion and/or extrusion process. However, instead of discharging hollow tubular structures 14, the second additive manufacturing process may be used to discharge tracks, ribbons, and/or sheets of composite material (e.g., over tubular structures 14 and/or over other features of sporting equipment 12). In particular, one or more heads 24 may be coupled to a support 26 (e.g., to an overhead gantry) that is capable of moving head(s) 24 in multiple directions during fabrication of sporting equipment 12, such that resulting contours of sporting equipment 12 are multi-dimensional (e.g., three-dimensional).

Head 24 may be similar to head 16 and configured to receive or otherwise contain a matrix material (e.g., the same matrix material contained within head 16 or a different matrix material). The matrix material stored inside head(s) 24 may be used to coat any number of separate fibers, allowing the fibers to make up centralized reinforcements of the discharging tracks, ribbons, and/or sheets. The fibers may include single strands, a tow or roving of several strands, or a weave of multiple strands. The strands may include, for example, carbon fibers, vegetable fibers, wood fibers, mineral fibers, glass fibers, metallic wires, etc. The fibers may be coated with the matrix material while the fibers are inside head(s) 24, while the fibers are being passed to head(s) 24, and/or while the fibers are discharging from head(s) 24, as desired. The matrix material, the dry fibers, and/or fibers already coated with the matrix material may be transported into head(s) 24 in any manner apparent to one skilled in the art. The matrix-coated fibers may then pass through one or more circular orifices, rectangular orifices, triangular orifices, or orifices of another curved or polygonal shape, where the fibers are pressed together and the matrix is caused to cure by way of one or more cure enhancers 22.

As described above, the first and second additive manufacturing processes can be extrusion or pultrusion processes. For example, extrusion may occur when the liquid matrix and the associated continuous fibers are pushed from head(s) 16 and/or head(s) 24 during the movement of supports 18 and/or 26. Pultrusion may occur after a length of matrix-coated fibers is connected to an anchor (not shown) and cured, followed by movement of head(s) 16 and/or head(s) 24 away from the anchor. The movement of head(s) 16 and/or head(s) 24 away from the anchor may cause the fibers to be pulled from the respective head(s), along with the coating of the matrix material.

In some embodiments, pultrusion may be selectively implemented to generate tension in the fibers that make up sporting equipment 12 and that remains after curing. In particular, as the fibers are being pulled from the respective head(s), the fibers may be caused to stretch. This stretching may create tension within the fibers. As long as the matrix surrounding the fibers cures and hardens while the fibers are stretched, at least some of this tension may remain in the fibers and function to increase a strength of the resulting composite structure.

Structures fabricated via conventional pultrusion methods may have increased strength in only a single direction (e.g., in the single direction in which fibers were pulled through the corresponding die prior to resin impregnation and curing). However, in the disclosed embodiment, the increased strength in sporting equipment 12 caused by residual tension within the corresponding fibers may be realized in the axial direction of each of the fibers. And because each fiber could be pulled in a different direction during discharge from head(s) 16 and/or 24, the tension-related strength increase may be realized in multiple (e.g., innumerable) different directions.

Structures fabricated via conventional pultrusion methods may have strength increased to only a single level (e.g., to a level proportionate to an amount in which the fibers were stretched by a pulling machine prior to resin impregnation and curing). However, in the disclosed embodiment, because the matrix surrounding each fiber may be cured and harden almost immediately upon discharge, the force pulling on the fiber may be continuously varied along the length of the fiber, such that different segments of the same fiber are stretched by different amounts. Accordingly, the residual tensile stress induced within each of the different segments of each different fiber may also vary, resulting in a variable strength within different areas of sporting equipment 12. This may be beneficial in variably loaded areas of sporting equipment 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of sporting equipment 12, which can be manufactured using one or both of the additive processes described above. In this embodiment, sporting equipment 12 is a ski, such as can be used for alpine or cross-country skiing, or that can be used for a snowmobile or sled. As a ski, sporting equipment 12 may include, among other things, a narrow and elongated platform 28 on which a boot, shoe, suspension system, or other device (not shown) may be mounted by way of a mounting track 30. Platform 28 may have a mid-section 32, an outward-turned leading tip 34, and a trailing end 36. In the disclosed embodiment, trailing end 36 is similar to leading tip 34 in shape and orientation. Trailing end 36 may, however, be generally planar and rectangular in other embodiments. Mid-section 32 may connect leading tip 34 to trailing end 36 and have any desired shape. For example, mid-section 32 may have straight sides or curved sides, and a flat, convex, concave, and/or ridged upper surface. Mounting track 30 may be located within mid-section 32 and may be configured to receive associated mounting hardware (e.g., binding toe and/or heel clips).

The components of sporting equipment 12 may be integrally formed with each other. For example, platform 28 and track 30 may be formed as a single monolithic structure, such that some or all of the fibers discharging from head(s) 16 and/or 24 (referring to FIG. 1) may be continuous through each of these components. In this way, thousands (if not millions) of fibers extend through intersections between the components and, thereby create strong mechanical connections without requiring the use of specialized hardware, glues, and/or heavy fasteners. In addition, the resulting ski may be lighter weight, as track 30 may structurally function as part of platform 28. Further, the integral nature of platform 28 and track 30 may result in a stiffer connection between the skier and the ski. It should be noted that, although platform 28 and track 30 have been described above as being fabricated together as a single monolithic structure, one or more of these components could be fabricated separately and later joined (e.g., via chemical and/or mechanical means) to each other.

Each of these components may be formed via any combination of the first and second additive processes described above, and may include of any number of different fibers (e.g., fibers of different materials, sizes, colors, and/or cross-sectional shapes) overlapping and/or interweaving with each other in any pattern, at any location, and with any desired density.

In one exemplary embodiment, some of the fibers within the composite material making up one or more portions of sporting equipment 12 have unique characteristics. For example, while a majority of sporting equipment 12 may comprise a structural type fiber F_(s) (e.g., carbon fibers, fiberglass, or Kevlar fibers), some portions of sporting equipment 12 may include a functional type of fiber F_(f) (e.g., electrically conductive fibers, optical fibers, shape memory fibers, vibration damping fibers, etc.). The functional type of fibers F_(f) may be selectively interwoven with the structural type fibers F_(s) at strategic locations. For example, electrically conductive and/or optical fibers F_(f) may be located at high-stress regions (e.g., at the intersection of platform 28 and track 30, along the length of platform 30 at opposing outer edges, at leading tip 34 and/or trailing end 36, etc.) and used as strain gauges (e.g., as electrical foil gages, electrical vibrating wires, and/or fiber Bragg grating optical sensors) to detect loading conditions of sporting equipment 12.

In a similar manner, optical fibers F_(f) may be used to generate optical feedback signals that are visible by the user. For example, an energy beam may be passed through one or more of the optical fibers F_(f) and, as platform 28 flexes, the optical fibers F_(f) may be squeezed and/or closed. When this happens, an optical feedback signal may be generated indicative of the flexing and directed to a corresponding interrogator. The interrogator may use this information to selectively alert the user of the flexing, for example by illuminating select functional components (e.g., one or more colored LEDs) 38 imbedded within leading tip 34. Alternatively or additionally, the information may be directed offboard sporting equipment 12 (e.g., via Bluetooth, radio, infrared, etc. to a heads-up screen associated with a user's goggles, to earbuds, headphones, etc.).

The electrically conductive fibers F_(f) and/or the optical fibers F_(f) may be coated with another material (e.g., insulation, a strength enhancing layer, a vibration dampening layer, etc.), if desired. Additionally, functional components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, LEDs, switches, batteries, filters, RFID tags, interrogators, etc.) 38 may be extruded through heads 16, 24 and/or automatically picked-and-placed (e.g., via attachments associated with heads 16 and/or 24) during discharge of the fibers F_(f). Operation of these components 38 and/or of the associated fibers F_(f) may be selectively tuned in these instances, for example by adjusting a shape, tension, type, and/or size of the fibers.

The configuration of fibers within platform 28 and/or track 30 may be adjustable and/or user-customizable. For example, the material type, fiber size, color, shape, pattern, location, orientation, and/or density may be selectively adjusted to provide a desired performance (e.g., weight, balance, strength, flexibility, shape, contour, etc.) and/or appearance of sporting equipment 12. These adjustments may be manually selected by an end-user and/or automatically selected based on characteristics of the user (e.g., based on a body scan of the user, monitored performance of the user, etc.).

Because the matrix surrounding each fiber may be cured and harden immediately upon discharge, the fibers may not be required to lie in parallel flat layers on top of each other. Accordingly, the fibers making up platform 28 and/or track 30 may be oriented in any desired direction. This may allow for interlocking of fiber layers and/or for the creation of unique (e.g., strengthening, rigidity-enhancing, flexibility-enhancing, vibration-dampening, and/or directional-control) features.

The matrix within the composite material making up one or more portions of sporting equipment 12 has unique characteristics. For example, while a majority of track 30 and platform 28 may comprise a structural-type matrix M_(s) (e.g., a conventional UV curable liquid resin such as an acrylated epoxy), portions of platform 28 may include a functional type of matrix M_(f) (e.g., a matrix within a central core of mid-section 32 that remains somewhat flexible and/or springy), a third type of matrix M_(c) (e.g., a matrix at cutting edges of mid-section 32 that cures to an elevated hardness level that allows sharpening), and/or a fourth type of matrix M_(p) (e.g., a matrix at a lower surface of mid-section that cures to a finer level of polish). Any type of matrix M may be selectively used to coat any type of fibers at strategic locations. The resulting composite materials may function as springs, dampeners, cutting edges, and/or sliding surfaces in these areas.

It should be noted that other sporting equipment not described above may also or alternatively be fabricated in manners similar to that described above. For example, surfboards, jetboards, skateboards, snowboards, and other types of boards may be fabricated in much the same way that the ski is described above as being manufactured.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 4A, 5, and 5A, one or more hardpoints 40 may be fabricated (e.g., via either the first or second additive processes described above) at predetermined sites within sporting equipment 12. Each hardpoint 40 may be generally devoid of fibers and fabricated in anticipation of a subsequent subtractive (e.g., drilling, reaming, tapping, etc.) process. By creating hardpoint 40 generally devoid of fibers, the likelihood of the subsequent subtractive process damaging fibers may be low. In addition, the subtractive process may be simpler to complete (e.g., easier, quicker, and/or less equipment-damaging) without fibers present.

FIGS. 4 and 4A illustrate the general avoidance of hardpoint 40 at a time when head 24 is discharging fibers. In this example, the fibers F diverge away from (e.g., flow around) hardpoint 40, such that hardpoint 40 is filled with only matrix M. It is contemplated that the matrix filling hardpoint 40 may be specifically placed within hardpoint 40 (e.g., at a time when no fibers are being discharged). Alternatively, excess matrix may be discharged at a time when tracks adjacent hardpoint 40 are being fabricated, such that the excess matrix is allowed to flow into and fill the resulting void. The resulting void may not need to be completely filled with matrix, in some embodiments. Cure enhancers 22 (referring to FIG. 1) also may be selectively deactivated, blocked, or otherwise adjusted during fabrication of hardpoints 40, such that the matrix making up hardpoints 40 is not fully cured. This may allow for easier machining of hardpoints 40.

As shown in the example of FIGS. 5 and 5A, hardpoints 40 may be manufactured to have a perimeter formed from fibers F in a particular configuration. That is, instead of simply avoiding fiber discharge at the intended locations of hardpoints 40, head 16 may be caused to follow a predetermined trajectory around hardpoints 40 while discharging extra fibers, such that one or more walls of fibers are created at the perimeter. This may allow for increased strength, increased rigidity, and/or improved geometrical tolerances at hardpoints 40. Hardpoints 40 may have the same general thickness of surrounding regions or protrude from one or both opposing sides, as desired.

In some embodiments, hardpoint 40 may be fabricated from a material that is different than a surrounding material of sporting equipment 12. For example, hardpoint 40 may be fabricated from a different matrix material (e.g., a softer, harder, and/or more-easily machined matrix), from a different material type of fiber, and/or from a different form of fiber (e.g., chopped fiber or another filler). These differences may allow hardpoint 40 to have properties tailored for particular applications.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The disclosed arrangement and design of sporting equipment 12 may be used in connection with any sporting event. Sporting equipment 12 may be light-weight and low-cost, due to a reduction in the number of fasteners required to join the various components to each other. In addition, sporting equipment 12 may be light-weight do to the use of composite materials. High-performance may be provided in the unique ways that particular fibers, resins, and functional components are used and laid out within sporting equipment 12.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed sporting equipment. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed sporting equipment. For example, although sporting equipment 12 is described above as being fabricated from matrix-wetted reinforcements, it is contemplated that portions (e.g., structurally insignificant areas and/or an outer skin) of sporting equipment 12 may be fabricated from only the matrix, if desired. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sporting equipment, comprising: an elongated platform having an outward-turned leading tip and a trailing end; and a mounting track located at a surface of the elongated platform between the outward-turned leading tip and the trailing end, wherein the elongated platform and mounting track are integrally formed as a monolithic structure having at least one continuous fiber passing from the elongated platform through the mounting track.
 2. The sporting equipment of claim 1, further including a strain gauge integrally fabricated into the elongated platform.
 3. The sporting equipment of claim 2, wherein the strain gauge includes at least one of an electrically and optically conductive fiber passing around a perimeter of the elongated.
 4. The sporting equipment of claim 1, further including: a sensor integrally fabricated into the elongated platform; and a visual feedback device integrally fabricated into the elongated platform and selectively illuminated based on signals generated by the sensor.
 5. The sporting equipment of claim 1, wherein at least one of the elongated platform and the mounting track are fabricated from a plurality of different types of fibers.
 6. The sporting equipment of claim 5, wherein the plurality of different types of fibers includes: a structural type of fiber; and a functional type of fiber.
 7. The sporting equipment of claim 6, wherein: the functional type of fiber includes at least one of an electrically conductive fiber, an optical fiber, and a shape memory fiber; and the structural type of fiber includes at least one of an aramid fiber, a carbon fiber, and a glass fiber.
 8. The sporting equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous fiber is at least partially coated with a plurality of different types of matrixes.
 9. The sporting equipment of claim 8, wherein the plurality of different types of matrixes includes: a structural type of resin that is stiff after curing; and a functional type of resin that is springy after curing.
 10. The sporting equipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one continuous fiber includes a plurality of fibers that overlap in at least one of different directions and different densities.
 11. The sporting equipment of claim 10, wherein the at least one of different directions and different densities is customizable.
 12. The sporting equipment of claim 10, wherein the at least one of different directions and different densities is user-selectable.
 13. The sporting equipment of claim 10, wherein the at least one of different directions and different densities is automatically selected based on at least one of a monitored user performance or a scan of a user.
 14. A sporting equipment, comprising: an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers; and a sensor integrally fabricated into the elongated platform and connected to the matrix-coated fibers.
 15. The sporting equipment of claim 14, further including a visual feedback device integrally fabricated into the elongated platform and electrically connected to the sensor via the matrix-coated fibers.
 16. A sporting equipment, comprising: an elongated platform configured to support a user and being fabricated from matrix-coated fibers; and a mounting hardpoint formed within the elongated platform during curing of the matrix-coated fibers, and having a center that is free of fibers.
 17. The sporting equipment of claim 16, further including a wall of matrix-coated fibers surrounding the mounting hardpoint.
 18. A method of manufacturing a sporting equipment, comprising: wetting a continuous fiber with a matrix; discharging a matrix-wetted continuous fiber through a nozzle; moving the nozzle during discharging to extend a structural type of fiber through an elongated platform of the sporting equipment; moving the nozzle during discharging to extend a functional type of fiber that is different from the structural type of fiber through the elongated platform of the sporting equipment; and exposing the matrix wetting the structural and functional types of fibers to a cure energy.
 19. The method of claim 18, further including: imbedding at least one of a resistor, a capacitor, an LED, a switch, a battery, a filter, and an interrogator within the elongated platform; and connecting the at least one of a resistor, a capacitor, an LED, a switch, a battery, a filter, and an interrogator to the functional type of fiber.
 20. The method of claim 18, further including: at least one of monitoring a performance of a user of the sporting equipment and scanning a body of the user; and customizing at least one of a direction and a density of the structural type of fiber within the sporting equipment based on at least one of a monitored performance and a scanned body of the user, wherein monitoring the performance of the user includes interpreting signals transmitted via the functional type of fiber. 